Controlling & Monitoring Light Damage
Larger museums are beginning to incorporate light monitoring into the preservation activities associated with their collection. Using electronic dataloggers, museums can determine cumulative lux hours. A "Light Budget" per artifact, based on its sensitivity to light, would determine how many lux hours it should remain on exhibit. A lux hour gives a comparative measure of the light level (lux) and exposure time (hour).
There is an inexpensive way that any size museum can determine how much damage a collection is receiving from light:
· Place blue wool standard light fade cards (available from TALAS) in display cases and lit storage areas so that they are in proximity to light sensitive materials.
· Cover half of the card so it will not fade.
· Examine cards monthly for changes.
As the blue wool swatches on the cards fade, damage is occurring to collection materials. If the third swatch has altered, all organic material will have visibly been damaged. This provides a graphic example of the extent to which current exhibition practices might be damaging collections and provides information on how often light sensitive material should be rotated out of your display.
The following procedures ensure the least damage possible to the collection:
1. Install all exhibits using a light meter to ensure that proper levels are maintained on light sensitive material.
2. Plan and install exhibits with the expectation that light sensitive material will be regularly removed from display.
3. Explore creative exhibit designs incorporating conservation requirements. These could prove quite dramatic, especially if lights slowly turn on as a visitor approaches a case. This can be achieved with contact mats under the carpet, motion-sensing switches or other remote sensing devices.
4. Monitor light levels on exhibited and stored items on a regular and scheduled basis.
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